He has “little interest in serving to the crew” (Didi Hamann), “a duel conduct like in a preparation sport” (Stefan Effenberg), and is mostly in a sporting low of “dramatic proportions” (Ruhr Nachrichten). There have been extra fives and sixes in particular person critiques than any pubescent center faculty scholar on their report card. Julian Brandt was closely criticized final season. Not solely beginner managers had lengthy suspected: He’ll actually take off once more within the new season.
Those that desire to depend on numbers quite than professional opinions will protest now. As a result of the final season wasn’t that dangerous for the Dortmund participant. Ten assists within the Bundesliga have been a joint greatest worth for the Borussians in 2024/25. In contrast to colleague Pascal Groß, Brandt additionally scored 5 instances himself. Additionally, league-wide, the playmaker is within the prime 10 in his core competence.
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However since August 2024, a distinct commonplace has utilized within the Ruhr space for the 48-time nationwide participant. That is when former coach Nuri Şahin made him vice-captain. An honor that rapidly turned a burden as a result of the function doesn’t swimsuit him. He doesn’t fulfill the cliché of a traditional chief, “standing like a one within the wind, scratching, biting, being loud, having broad shoulders” or “additionally generally messing somebody up”, as he aptly described it himself in a media spherical earlier than the beginning of the Membership World Cup.
📸 Pedro Salado – 2025 Getty Photos
Nobody else at BVB did till the spring of 2025. However Brandt actually turned the face of the sporting disaster. His at all times considerably grim look or the occasional drooping of the shoulders overshadowed his footballing talent. Even his harshest critics by no means had critical doubts concerning the latter – and that is precisely why they have been (too) laborious on him. He didn’t present what he may do.
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In the meantime, Niko Kovac supplied the carrot to the stick. Since his inauguration in February, the Croatian has often praised his protégé. Positioned “our Jule” in a row with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Defended him towards media criticism and made it clear earlier than the away sport towards Hoffenheim in April: “I do know he divides some. However he does not divide me in any respect. I’m completely satisfied of him”.
Belief that clearly did Brandt good. Within the remaining 4 Bundesliga matches, the 29-year-old collected six scorers. Large factors weren’t just for BVB within the finally profitable last dash for the CL locations. But in addition for a lot of beginner managers of assorted soccer simulations.
In an effort to lastly break his psychological chains, Kovac plans to take one other step earlier than the beginning of the brand new season, in keeping with ‘Bild’. The coach plans to alleviate Brandt of his vice-captain duties in order that the artistic participant can absolutely unfold once more. The Brandt hazard ought to sooner or later once more apply to the opposing penalty areas and to not the crew construction of BVB.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU – AFP or licensors